April and May, then October, around Parry Sound and Muskoka

Cottage opening and closing, with the price in writing

Twice a year the cottage needs the same careful list run in the right order. That's the job. The typical price is on the board below, bigger or waterfront places get a firm number on the phone before anything is booked, and the number we set is the number on the invoice.

Call 289-380-0870

Opening and closing prices, Parry Sound and Seguin

Opening, typical 2-3 bedroom, road access: $349
Closing, same cottage: $399
Waterfront opening with dock in, from: $699
Waterfront closing with dock out, from: $799
Dock in, spring: $399
Dock out, fall: $449
Dock in and out, booked together: $749

Book opening and closing together: 10 percent off the pair. Add a watch plan to a closing: 10 percent off the watch plan. They discount different things, so booking all three earns both. Zone 1 is about 30 minutes around Seguin; Zone 2, 30 to 60 minutes out, adds $50 to flat-rate jobs. Parts and materials at cost plus 15 percent.

What an opening covers

Water on and lines checked under pressure, electric water heaters filled and powered up (propane and gas units get lit by a TSSA-registered tech I arrange), plumbing checked at every fixture, power and appliances confirmed, deck and stairs looked over after the winter, eaves checked, screens in, dock in if booked, and a photo set when it's done. If winter broke something, you get a photo, a price to fix it, and a straight answer about whether it can wait.

What a closing covers

Lines drained and blown out, antifreeze in the traps, water heater drained, fridge propped and powered down, heat set for winter, overhanging limbs and snow-load risks noted with photos, windows and doors locked and photographed, dock out if booked, and the closing photo set for your records and your insurer. Close it properly in the fall and the spring opening goes quickly.

One person does every opening, so the spring calendar is short. I book in order of call.

Call 289-380-0870